Is there an Arborist in the house?

[MustISO]

There's a large root coming from a tree in our yard that is now above ground. I would like to get rid of this. can I just cut it at some point and wait for the root to die or will this hurt the tree.

 

[venkman]

I don't know why, but I read that as "Is there an Abortionist in the house?"

 

[Jumpem]

Mine have been starting do that lately too with all the rain.

 

[BoomerD]

It's pretty common with trees planted in yards and is a symptom of shallow watering. The tree sends roots to the surface since it doesn't get enough water down deep.

Depending on the kind of tree and how big the root is, cutting it may kill the tree...or it might survive it just fine.

We have "city trees" in our subdivision. We're limited to what kind of tree we can have, but everyone is required to have a designated city tree...:roll:

We get zelcovas in this subdivision. Nice shade trees, they get HUGE as they mature...and have a bad habit of sending roots to the surface.

Many of my neighbors just cut the surface roots and pull them out since the tree belongs to the city and they don't maintain them.

 

[Auryg]

It'll probably be fine. Use an axe or a really sharp shovel.

 

[Capt Caveman]

If it's a well established tree, you are more than likely fine.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

The roots help anchor the tree, if its a huge like a 90-120' oak, i'd leave it

 

[sandorski]

The tree has developed a taste for blood. Just don't remain in one place more than a Month and you should be safe.

 

[MustISO]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
The roots help anchor the tree, if its a huge like a 90-120' oak, i'd leave it

This is a small try. Maybe 14' tall. I have no idea what kind of tree it is but it's not an evergreen of any kind. Just something the builder through in when the build the house.

 

[Kntx]

You could add dirt to cover the root.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
It's pretty common with trees planted in yards and is a symptom of shallow watering. The tree sends roots to the surface since it doesn't get enough water down deep.

Depending on the kind of tree and how big the root is, cutting it may kill the tree...or it might survive it just fine.

We have "city trees" in our subdivision. We're limited to what kind of tree we can have, but everyone is required to have a designated city tree...:roll:

We get zelcovas in this subdivision. Nice shade trees, they get HUGE as they mature...and have a bad habit of sending roots to the surface.

Many of my neighbors just cut the surface roots and pull them out since the tree belongs to the city and they don't maintain them.

There is always the aspect of hardpan, something we have in the Cenral Sacramento Valley\ which can affect how the tree's root behave.
To the OP: Some trees will not survive a root cutting at the wrong time of year. You need to post pics of some Leaves and the tree in general if you don't know what it is.
You may be able to re-cover the root, but again, some trees don't want any of that after they're established.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: BoomerD
It's pretty common with trees planted in yards and is a symptom of shallow watering. The tree sends roots to the surface since it doesn't get enough water down deep.

Depending on the kind of tree and how big the root is, cutting it may kill the tree...or it might survive it just fine.

We have "city trees" in our subdivision. We're limited to what kind of tree we can have, but everyone is required to have a designated city tree...:roll:

We get zelcovas in this subdivision. Nice shade trees, they get HUGE as they mature...and have a bad habit of sending roots to the surface.

Many of my neighbors just cut the surface roots and pull them out since the tree belongs to the city and they don't maintain them.

There is always the aspect of hardpan, something we have in the Cenral Sacramento Valley\ which can affect how the tree's root behave.
To the OP: Some trees will not survive a root cutting at the wrong time of year. You need to post pics of some Leaves and the tree in general if you don't know what it is.
You may be able to re-cover the root, but again, some trees don't want any of that after they're established.

Hardpan...nasty stuff...some parts of the valley has it very bad.

We hit one spot where it was SO hard that you could stand a D-8 dozer on the ripper shank and not break through the stuff...(that's somewhere around 35 tons with the dozer blade and ripper set-up)

I have some in my yard. About 3' down. Fortunately, it's not a very thick or hard layer. I can usually get through it with a pick and shovel...usually :roll: